Falun Gong Practitioners Celebrate Freedom on Independence Day

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Falun Gong Practitioners Celebrate Freedom on Independence Day

July 07, 2016

(Minghui.org) From coast to coast, Falun Gong practitioners celebrated Independence Day with communities across America, offering traditional Chinese performances and colorful floats in various parades. They also called upon the public to help those who are being brutally persecuted in China for standing up for freedom of belief.

Philadelphia

At the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, the waist drum team consisting of 60 local practitioners performed in the Independence Day parade for the 16^th time.

Falun Gong's waist drum team in the Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia

After the parade, practitioners put on a series of performances and demonstrated the exercises on Benjamin Franklin Avenue. Many people stopped at the booth to learn about Falun Gong.

Demonstrating the exercisesPeople at the Falun Gong boothRob and his wife Jane from Philadelphia strongly condemned the persecution of Falun Gong in China.Dominic knows some Chinese. He loves Chinese culture and wants to learn more about Falun Gong.

Chicago

Practitioners from Chicago participated in the parade in Evanston along with 100 other groups. Nearly thirty thousand spectators welcomed the only Chinese entry in the parade, who won the second place in the parade for their float.

Falun Gong's float

Falun Gong's waist drum team

Parade organizer Katie Schmidt highly praised the Falun Gong group's float and performance. “It's always a pleasure to work with them,” she said.

Northern California

After the parade in Redwood City, Bay Area, a young couple asked Falun Gong practitioners if they won first place for their float. “You were the best in the entire parade, especially your float. It's amazing,” the husband said.

The Falun Gong group indeed won the first place this year, and it is not the first time. The group consisted of a flag team, a “celestial maiden” dance team, an elaborate float, and a team demonstrating the exercises.

Exercise demonstration teamThe flag teamThe “celestial maiden” dance teamFalun Gong float

George Smith, one of the judges of the parade, praised the values of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” demonstrated by practitioners. “They paid a lot of attention to detail,” he said. “It is so beautiful.”

Local citizen Tina Ford says she is glad to see Falun Gong in the parade every year.

After the parade, practitioners set up a booth, introducing this ancient practice to the public, and exposing the persecution in China.

A retired air force officer knows well about the persecution. He enthusiastically supports Falun Gong's peaceful fight for freedom.

Local citizen Maricela Gomerz took a stack of Falun Gong materials. “It hurts my heart that the Chinese government persecutes such a peaceful group,” she said. She plans to share the information with her friends and family.

Falun Gong practitioner Yung Tran is a Vietnam-born engineer, who started practicing Falun Gong in 2007. “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance has broadened my heart,” he said.

Art teacher Perry Uzunoglu carries a flag in the procession “Falun Gong teaches me to consider others first, and look inward for my own problems during conflicts with others,” he said.

Southern California

The Independence Day Parade in San Diego with nearly 100 entries was held on Coronado Island. As the only Chinese entry, the Falun Gong group has participated in this parade for 12 years in a row, and won awards nearly every year.

Demonstrating the exercises on the floatThe Falun Gong waist drum team.The judges of the parade take a group photo in front of the Falun Gong float.

Saipan

Falun Gong practitioners have participated in the Independence Day Parade in Saipan for 16 years. Once again, their performances, including the exercise demonstration on the float and waist drum playing, were warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd.

Falun Gong group